Astros report: Ryan visits camp to evaluate pitchers

Righthander Mark Appel is the type of power arm that Roger Clemens sees as a necessity and Nolan Ryan values but doesn't view as a must on a staff.

Photo: Karen Warren, Staff

KISSIMMEE, Fla. - Power can help you win, but you don't necessarily need power to win.

Roger Clemens said in October he thought the Astros would eventually need to add a rocket arm to their rotation.

"And then eventually, I still think we're gonna have to go out there, and Mr. (Jim) Crane, Jeff (Luhnow), whoever, is going to have to go out and get a frontline, pretty big name starter to really anchor down our pitching staff," Clemens said.

Astros executive adviser Nolan Ryan began the first of two visits to Astros camp Thursday, just in time for the team's first Grapefruit League game. He, like Clemens, set a standard for dominance, but he said that while having an overpowering, mid-90s type of pitcher would be welcome, it's not an absolute necessity.

"I don't know that they need that type of arm to win," Ryan said. "Because I really think if somebody gives you an opportunity to win ballgames, you can get a crafty lefthander, or you can get some righthanders that have the ability to sink the ball and give 'em different looks (so) that they're very effective. So no, that's not a must for a team to be successful."

One power arm could be on its way in former top overall draft pick Mark Appel, who allowed one run on three hits in two innings against the Phillies on Thursday. Ryan said he has seen more of Appel than many in the system after watching him in the Arizona Fall League and expects Appel to have "a presence here" when he gets to the majors.

"I think that every rotation, if they can get an upside arm like that, they would like to," Ryan said. "Appel's one of those types of arms, and there's several of those kids in the system. You'd like to think that in the near future you'll see those types of pitchers."

Ryan said he believes the minor leagues have strong pitching depth on the whole but also noted a lot of pitching was traded away in the last year and a half. The Astros dealt Jarred Cosart at last year's trade deadline, then sent pitchers Nick Tropeano and Mike Foltynewicz packing in separate offseason trades.

As the Astros overhauled their bullpen and infield depth this winter, Ryan said he was in communication with Luhnow and talked about potential deals and players he was familiar with. On this visit, he's around less for hands-on instruction and more for observation of arms he hasn't seen.

Does he have a prediction for 2015? Only a broad one.

"They're going to be better than they were last year. I really believe that," Ryan said. "With some moves that were made this winter and the experience some of the young players have gotten, they're headed in the right direction. To make a prediction, it would be anybody's guess. You don't know how some of those younger players are going to continue to progress. Some of them could do considerably better than they did last year after the experience they got."

Hernandez notthat far behind

Righthander Roberto Hernandez took a physical and then threw his first bullpen in an Astros uniform Thursday morning after flying in from the Dominican Republic on Wednesday night.

Both the timing of Hernandez's signing, on Feb. 12, and the fact he went by an assumed name (Fausto Carmona) previously in his career helped delay his departure as he went through the visa process. But he was throwing off a mound in the Dominican Republic and said he expects to be game-ready after throwing another bullpen Saturday.

"He's very happy to be here, and it's great just to be here," said Javier Bracamonte, an Astros bullpen catcher who translated for Hernandez. "He was throwing over there, and he feels pretty good."

Hernandez, 34, is 67-93 with a 4.60 ERA lifetime in the majors. He split 2014 between the Phillies and Dodgers, going 8-11 with a 4.10 ERA in 32 games, 29 of them starts.

Manager A.J. Hinch said Hernandez could pitch in a game Monday or Tuesday after throwing his bullpen Saturday.

"I'm just glad he's here," Hinch said. "Get through one day first, and then we'll plan it out."

Hernandez wants to be a starting pitcher and could be scooped up by another team if the Astros don't think he's ready for the season-opening rotation. He can become a free agent shortly before the regular season begins if he won't make the team.

"This is the first time that happened to him to compete for a spot, but he's ready," Bracamonte said.

Odds and ends

New Astros catcher Hank Conger, who is slated to share the load of the catching duties this season behind primary backstop Jason Castro, has been coping with left wrist soreness lately, manager A.J. Hinch said. But the situation appears minor, with the Astros planning to use Conger as a catcher this weekend. … Righthander Brad Peacock (offseason hip surgery) remains slated to throw to hitters somewhere in the Tuesday to Thursday range. That doesn't leave much time for him to be ready for the start of the season, but a return later in April seems viable.

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